Mr.Howard you are golden for posting all of your imformative and comprehensive videos, which enabled me to make a sad Spinet I found a completely functioning Happy piano.
Yes, I am still here, I just hadn't had time to make videos recently. I'm glad to hear though that the videos are welcomed by most people. I'm grateful that they are a help to those with questions.
Thank you so much! I've had sticking keys, A and B flat, right next to each other. I started with your Diagnosing sticky keys video, then moved on to this one. With the parts and description of the parts you have explained so well, I looked again at my piano. Between the A and B flat I could see the flange pin. It had actually come loose from the A Jack and was touching the B Jack, causing both of them to get hung up on the action! I was able to push the pin back in (with a little coercing) and now, for the first time in years, Our keys no longer stick! Thank you for your awesome video!
Great Nicki! One thing you may find over time is that the pin may come loose again because the reason that it came out in the first place was that the pin was too loose in the bushing.
Please keep the videos coming! You're helping so many of us restore our pianos. And a special thank you for your website. I have purchased several items and have been making another list for more. Is there a good place to contact and maybe speak with you about what you offer and my specific needs? I dont see certain items listed on your site and I'm wondering if I can get by without replacing
Hello, I'm glad the videos have been helpful. You can send questions to me directly through the contact form on our website. I'm glad to help in whatever way I can.
FIrst of all, thank you for your very informing videos, I´m not a tuner at all... and may have made the mistake of tuning my own piano (without being worried since your videos are good and my ear is pretty good and I´m very interrested in tuning and maintaining (it's my piano after all ;) )) but your videos explain so much in good detail about everything you talk about, so thank you for that. And what I call the troubleshooting and of course the tuning videos have been most helpful. But, I was just wondering, your online shop, do you send worldwide or is it just N-America?
There is a product called Protek CLP that can be used and will help to some degree, If the problem is minimal it may fix the issue, but if it is too tight, then repointing is the only solution. Here is a link to the lubricant in our store: www.howardpianoindustries.com/protek-clp-lubricant-for-piano-action-parts/
Often sticking flange pins are caused by moisture. The lining fabric swells and at the same time the center pin gets corroded causing double friction. I try first to dry out the fabric with a hair dryer and apply a little bit WD40. Only if this doesn't work I will take on the ungrateful job that you describe. 7 hours of tedious toil...
I have a question, how long on average does it take to get familiarized with all the action parts and functions as a technician and knowing how to repair them? also good to see you back!
The time to learn everything greatly depends on how much time you devote to it and what things you're doing to learn. Hands on experience is the best, so getting a piano that needs some work just to get some experience is a great way to get hands on learning. If you can attend training seminars through the Piano Technicians Guild you can get a lot of training quickly. Even attending local PTG meetings can be a good learning experience.
It's best not to use the same pin. A new pin will have a point in the end which makes it easier to put through the bushing. If you use the old pin with the point cut off there is a greater chance of pushing the bushing out and then you'd have to replace the bushing felt.
Are piano jacks all the same? or are they unique between different keys? For a not frequently used piano is it possible to swap jacks between keys to keep them worn evenly?
I've always wondered; as the jack moves, does the pin rotate along with it? Is the pin held tight by either the jack or the flange so it rotates in the other part? or does the pin rotate equally inside both the jack bushing and the flange bushing?
Protek CLP is one lubricant that is used to coat and ease the bushing cloth. It also helps expel moisture. So, yes lubrication can be used here . I think I have seen flange bushing cloth inpregnated with dry gaphite sold for rebushing flanges, but it is not the common lubricant used in this location once the hole has the bushing cloth already installed.
I guess this is why Renner is the company that produces a whole set of Action for individual piano. This is not for layman and it is easy to make a mess after working on the 88 keys.
It would basically be the same way, the thing about a spinet action is that it is more work to get the action out and of course the fact that you have an elbow and lifter attached to the whippen.
In most cases you don't have to replace the bushing. The only time you should have to replace the bushing is if you push the bushing out or if the bushing is damaged.
@@howardpianoind Steve, thank you for the response. My situation is a little different than the sticky or sluggish flange. The plastic/bakelite parts in our piano broke at the weakest point. . . i.e. the pivot points in the flanges. The replacement flanges I have purchased from you do have the felt bushings. In addition, I did find another of your RU-vid presentations where you show details for generation of felt bushings.
Hi Howard , i have a question , a few days a ago , the piano in my room started making sounds on its own, mostly in the higher octave area, it sounds like something is tucking or plucking the strings however the keys does not move, i have opened up the piano thinking there's little unwanted creatures that managed to get in the piano however it came up empty, is there any particular reason ? This problem only occurs when i turn on the air conditioning during the night.
It's hard to tell. It could be that there are critters in your piano that are hidden when you open it up, but it's hard to tell. I'm not aware of what might cause this.
